opening up chokes

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

I truly believe it does matter, even with a worn Trojan. The guns are no longer made and therefore taking another gun out of the remaining and shrinking pool of unmolested guns is a big mistake, in my opinion. I do believe that we are only caretakers. It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. Much damage and bastardization has been done to many Parkers over the years. Our generation knows better, for the most part, and we should not contribute to the carnage.

There is a difference between monetary value and having an appreciation for antiquity. My thought was opening the chokes on lower grade worn shooters would not affect the former very much if at all since they are not of interest to collectors.

[Kirk Potter]

I'm not so sure I buy the argument against opening chokes saying "buy a gun with open chokes, their are plenty out there"

they're out there, but it will definitely make your search more difficult. And I guess it depends on how you define "plenty"

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Kirk Potter

I'm not so sure I buy the argument against opening chokes saying "buy a gun with open chokes, their are plenty out there"

they're out there, but it will definitely make your search more difficult. And I guess it depends on how you define "plenty"

Finding a gun with chokes that were opened adds another variable but, in my opinion, we owe it to those who come after us. For a lot of us, that’s a relatively short period of time. Just scan any of the sales sites and look for guns that have 30” or more barrels and the chokes are stated to be cylinder or improved cylinder. Chances are that the chokes have been messed with. Parker no doubt built 30” or better guns with open chokes but this is not typical. I would hold suspect any 30” or better gun with chokes other than modified or full. It may be original, but the odds are long.

I don’t view it as a monetary or collector issue at all. Rather, it is an appreciation and respect for antiquity and the superb work Parker did boring chokes. That coupled with the fact that the gun is no longer made encourages me to try to preserve intact those that are still unmolested. I don’t want to be responsible for diminishing the pool of intact guns, even with a worn Trojan.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

Just scan any of the sales sites and look for guns that have 30” or more barrels and the chokes are stated to be cylinder or improved cylinder. Chances are that the chokes have been messed with. Parker no doubt built 30” or better guns with open chokes but this is not typical. I would hold suspect any 30” or better gun with chokes other than modified or full. It may be original, but the odds are long.

Funny you mention that, I just picked up a Lefever F grade 10ga, a pivot lever rod cocker. It has 30" barrels and the chokes are R Cylinder and L .018. The muzzle shows no evidence of cut barrels. The left barrel has 5" inches of continuous taper to the muzzle. Factory or relieved? It also weighs 8 lbs 2 ounces so given the long continuous taper in the barrel with choke and it's light weight for a 10 bore it may very well have been ordered as an upland gun. The price was right either way and I am looking forward to shooting it.

P.S. When it comes to superb work in choking, Ithaca NID's and Rem 94's will often pattern tighter at 40 yards than any Parker.

[Kirk Potter]

Also, if you have a gun that has no basis for a letter, or a gun with a letter that doesn't mention chokes, then who's to say the gun you don't want to open the chokes on hasn't already had it done?

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Kirk Potter

Also, if you have a gun that has no basis for a letter, or a gun with a letter that doesn't mention chokes, then who's to say the gun you don't want to open the chokes on hasn't already had it done?

I don't think factory letters are always correct when it comes to chokes. I believe changes in production happened after entries in the books were made. Scott Kittredge had a VH 20ga and the letter on the gun said cyl and full if I remember correctly. The gun shot full and full.

[James L. Martin]

Most of the time you can tell by measuring and just looking at the chokes, not many are polished after being opened ,if you see tool marks most likely they have messed with.

[Twombly setters]

can you open Damascus tubes?

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

Would you take a vintage car in 100% original condition and install power windows?

Originally Posted by legh higgins

can you open Damascus tubes?

Boy that is a head scratchier. I don't know but I guess you could, but I don't know a gunsmith today that would touch it with the liability concerns. Back at turn of the century they might have and guarantee someone on here will know the answer.

[C.O.B.]

Originally Posted by legh higgins

can you open Damascus tubes?

Yes.